Artificial limb extension



March 6, 1956 M. R. BASS 2,736,902

ARTIFICIAL LIMB EXTENSION Filed Nov. 8, 1954 MARY RUTH BASS INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y United St es Patent 2,736,902 ARTIFICIAL LIMB EXTENSION Mary Ruth Bass, Washington, D. C. Application November 8, 1954, Serial No. 467,254 Claims. (or. 3-4

The object of my invention is to produce an artificial extension member for lengthening the lower extremities of the wearer when so desired. The device is more particularly adapted for the use of midgets or those deformed persons whose limbs are so short that their feet extend only a short distance below the knee. With .slight modification the device could also be used by .amputees who wish to extend their shortened leg member to the normal or desired length.

By the use of this device, midgets are enabled to drive automobiles, airplanes or farm machinery just as readily as those persons whose legs are of normal length.

Another object of the invention is to produce an improved artificial limb with the parts so arranged and con- :nected each to the other as to render the limb comfort- ;able to the wearer and capable of assuming the various positions which the normal leg will assume without annoy- :ance or undue manifestation of its being an artificial member.

A furher object of the invention is to construct a device of light and strong metal such as aluminum which is serviceable and at the same time light and inexpensive.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the various parts assembled.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation looking toward the rear or heel portion of the device.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking downwardly in the direction of the arrows.

My improved artificial limb includes an upper portion A which is' attached to the shoe of the wearer, a central portion B consisting of two upright adjustable members F and G which connect the upper portion A with the third or lower portion C which comprises the shoe and consists of two horizontal members 1 and 2 which are adjustably connected to and firmly secured to each other by means of a wing nut D which is screwed onto a threaded bolt T. The lower or shoe portion C is rough- .ened at the bottom at H to prevent slipping.

The upper portion A of the device consists of a hori- ,zontal portion 3 which is attached to the sole of the shoe by means of straps 5 of leather or similar material. Adjustably connected to the horizontal portion 3 is another horizontal portion 4 provided with an upright curved portion 6 shaped to fit the heel of the shoe and attached to the shoe by means of straps 7 of leather or similar material.

The adjustable portions 3 and 4 after being fitted to the shoe are firmly attached to each other by means" of .a wing nut E or similar well known fastening means which is screwed onto a threaded bolt S.

The strap 5 is attached to the toe or horizontal portion 3 by passing through the slot 9 and the strap 7 is attached to the curved heel portion 6 by passing through the slots 8.

To firmly connect the upper portion A to the upright adjustable members F and G there is attached to the bottom of each of the horizontal portions 3 and 4 two strong, rigid metallic bands M attached to each side of the portions 3 and wardly to contact the upright members F and G to which they are attached by means of wing nuts I screwed onto bolts K which pass through holes L in the upright members F and G. Each device is provided with two pairs of these upright members. The shorter pair of about 6 inches which is capable of adjusting the central portion B to a height of approximately four to six inches and a longer pair which provides an adjustment of approximately eight to ten inches.

It will be observed as clearly shown in Fig. 2 that there is a suflicient open space between the members M to permit a sufficient adjustment of the upright members F and G.

The lower or shoe portion C is likewise connected to the upright adjustable members F and G by providing two strong rigid metallic bands N attached to each side of the portions 1 and 2 and extending upwardly and inwardly to contact the upright members F and G to which they are attached by means of wing nuts P screwed onto bolts R.

In using the device when driving an automobile the midget or deformed person properly adjusts the upper portion A to fit the sole of his shoe and then securely attaches the horizontal adjustable portions 3 and 4 to the sole of his shoe. The upright members F and G are then adjusted to the required height and connect the upper portion A to the lower portion C. The horizontal members 1 and 2 of the lower portion C are then adjusted so that the lower portion C is of the same length as the upper portion A and the portions 1 and 2 are firmly clamped together by means of the wing nut D screwed onto the bolt T.

The portion 3 is attached to the sole of the shoe by means of a strap 5 of leather or similar material which is passed through the slot 9 and the portion 4 is likewise attached to the sole of the shoe by means of a strap 7 of leather or similar material which is passed through the slot 8.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications covered within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An artificial limb consisting of an upper portion attached to the shoe of the wearer, a central portion consisting of two upright adjustable members, a lower portion which comprises the shoe, the upper portion consisting of two horizontal plates adjustable relatively to each other to conform to the length of the shoe of the wearer, the lower portion also consisting of two horizontal plates adjustable relatively to each other to conform to the length of the upper portion, the upright members being adjustable to the required height and connecting the upper portion to the lower portion.

2. An artificial limb consisting of an upper portion a central portion consisting of two upright adjustable members, a lower portion which comprises the shoe, the upper portion consisting of two horizontal plates adjustable relatively to each other to conform to the length of the shoe of the wearer, each horizontal member being 4 and extending downwardly and in- Irrawaddy lib a s t; 5 t

v H M a s passing through said slots and adapted to fasten the plates to the shoe of'the wearer, a wing nut and bolt to firmly hold together the horizontal plates,after adjustment. Y r a a a v 3.;An artificial limb consisting of an upperpor tion, a

:central portion consisting of two upright adjustable members, a lower portion which comprises the shoe, the lower portion consistingpf two hori zontal plates adjustable relatively to each .othera wing nut and bolt to firmly hold together the horizontal plates after the proper ad justment is made, the horizontal plates comprising the shoet'being roughened on their lo wer side .14; Ar artificiallimb consisting of an upper'portiom a central portion consisting of two upright adjustable memt ber s, =a lower portion which comprises the shoe, the upp erportiomconsistiug of two horizontal plates adjust- ;able relatively toeach-other, the lower portion consisting of two horizontal plates adjustable relatively to each otherlmetallic bands attached to each side of the hori- 'zahm plates comprising the upper portion, said bands extending downwardly and inwardly to contact the upright members a wing nut and bolt to adjustably secure the metallic bands to each of said upright members.

5. An artificial limb consisting of an upper portion, a central portion consisting of two upright adjustable members, a lower portion which comprises the shoe, the up per portion consisting, of two horizontal plates adjustable relatively tdeacl'i other; the lower portion consisting of two"horizontalplatesza'diusfabl relatively to each other, metallic bands attached to each side of the hori- Zontal 'pl'ates' c'ampr'isrng the lower porti0n,""said' bands extending upwardly 'andjinwardly "to contact the upright members, a wing nut and bolt to adjustably secure the metallic bands to each of said upright members.

N 0 references cited. 

